The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3037, 2 January 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 1892.

Equal and exact justice to all men, # Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

In view of the steps now being taken to form a National Association and establish strong local branches throughout the colony,it is encouraging to know that a similar organisation has already been formed in Now South Wales, for the purpose there—as with ourselves—of procuring the union and co-operation of people who desire the promotion of the general interest of the whole community rather than those of any section or class, so that their influence may bo exercised effectively upon the conduct of public affairs. The Sydney Mail, writing upon the subject, exposes a state of political affairs that bear a, strong resemblance to our own. The article is well worth reprinting. The Mail says : —" At the present moment the body of electors may be described as divided into two parts — the I organised and the unorganised. Of the organisations composing the first part, some are avowedly political, but others .are not, although moat of them in varying degrees nnd in differ-on'- ways bri:i« to bear the powers acquired by union and co-operation for political purposes. There is little doubt that in this way, at almost every; general election, the voice of the country upon questions of general interest is confused and rendered indistinct and romparativoly unintelligible by the thrusting forward of side issues and by giving undue prominence to matters of sectional and inferior interest. As a consequence we have Parliament incapable of dealing so effectively and wisely with the conduct of public affairs as is desirable for the pub'ic welfare. Those eyila ave naturally aggravated l>y

(ho fact that there is n large amount of political indifference among tho yront nmsa of the unorganmod electors, ao that there is no sufficient check upon tho continuance of tho demoralising processes and the development of their logical results. Just now, moreover, now influences aro in operation, tending to make the confusion worse coufouuded than before, to undermine our system of government, and to destroy that general confidence in tho stability of interests, without which real property cannot exist, and healthy progress cannot be made. It may be doubted whether at any previous period in our history the political prospects of the colony have been so overcast by clouds, so destitute of any ray of light, or gleam of hope. It would be hard to recall any time at which the broad interests of the community —in the protection of personal freedom, the miunteiance of law and order, and the defence of private right—have seemed to be so subordiuate to party interests and the clainw of a class. Certainly at such a time as this we need a new impulse of patriotic feeling that would save public life from utter degradation and introduce new principles ot action and new methods of giving them efl'ect. If the National Association can ne the means of communicating that impulse and winning for it a permanent and growing influence, it will be deserving of its name and of tho gratitude of the country/' We commend these sentiments to the thoughtful consideration of our readers.